I broke the rules' said the inspector

He then went and inspected the letters on the floor of the dais, and Constable Kington told him Jesson had a can of paint in his pocket. He went back to Jesson and asked him what he was doing in the area, saying he (Jesson) had been seen kneeling on the dais. Jesson made no answer.

"I asked him if he had anything to say. He said 'I am a fourth-year law student: I do not have to tell you anything.'

"I told him he was a suspected person and I thought he was loitering in the area with a felonious intent."

Inspector Silk said that at the police station he had interviewed Goring first and at 11.25pm went to see Jesson. The two had been kept apart. Neither had been arrested at this time.

He had told Jesson that Goring had admitted the painting of the slogans at Addington. painting slogans in Fitzgerald Avenue near the Avon River, and starting to paint slogans on the Royal dais. He asked Jesson if this was correct.

"He replied: 'You 're telling me—you should know.'

"I asked him where the can of paint he was using was. and he said: 'I am a law student; I don't have to tell you.'

"I asked him how the specks of paint on his glasses got there and he said he had been painting placards about two hours ago.

"I then put it to him that that was the time Goring said they were painting signs as to whether he had not ordered Jesson to go to the station. Inspector Silk said he was certain he had used the word "like."

It was not fair to say that Jesson had been told he had to go to the police station.

Mr. McClelland: Do you recall searching the defendant in Kilmore Street—I did not search him.

Informed by Mr. McClelland that Constable Kington had said earlier that Jesson had been searched by the Inspector, he said he "frisked" Jesson by tapping his pockets.

He had done this to ensure that Jesson was not carrying weapons which might have been used to injure him or other police officers. He did not regard that as a search.

Mr. McClelland: Do you remember Jesson saving you had no right to search him— Yes. He objected to my taking the tin of paint.